The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive spatial dataset on the world's marine and terrestrial protected areas, produced through a joint initiative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United National Environment Programme (UNEP). The WDPA contains the UN List of protected areas (official national data) as well as authoritative information sourced by non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, international convention secretariats and many others. The WDPA is used for reporting on global indicators and trends, ecological gap analysis, environmental impact analysis and is increasingly used for private sector decision-making. The WDPA is hosted and managed at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive spatial dataset on the world's marine and terrestrial protected areas, produced through a joint initiative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United National Environment Programme (UNEP). The WDPA contains the UN List of protected areas (official national data) as well as authoritative information sourced by non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, international convention secretariats and many others. The WDPA is used for reporting on global indicators and trends, ecological gap analysis, environmental impact analysis and is increasingly used for private sector decision-making. The WDPA is hosted and managed at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive spatial dataset on the world's marine and terrestrial protected areas, produced through a joint initiative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United National Environment Programme (UNEP). The WDPA contains the UN List of protected areas (official national data) as well as authoritative information sourced by non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, international convention secretariats and many others. The WDPA is used for reporting on global indicators and trends, ecological gap analysis, environmental impact analysis and is increasingly used for private sector decision-making. The WDPA is hosted and managed at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated by Scottish Ministers under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. These possible MPAs have been approved by Scottish Ministers for public consultation. As such, the locations are afforded policy protection as if they were designated. The boundaries of the possible MPAs presented in this dataset represent those being consulted upon within both the 12 nautical mile Territorial Sea limit (on the basis of advice provided by Scottish Natural Heritage - the Scottish Government's adviser on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland) and in the UK offshore waters adjaent to Scotland (on the basis of advice provided by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee- the statutory adviser to UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation). The following URLs provide links to the consultation process websites: www.snh.gov.uk/mpa-consultation, www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/scottish-mpa-consultation and www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-consultation.